Job 42:6
Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes."
Therefore
The word "therefore" serves as a pivotal transition in Job 42:6, indicating a conclusion or result based on previous discourse. In the context of the Book of Job, this word signifies Job's response to the divine revelations and speeches from God. It marks a turning point where Job acknowledges the vastness of God's wisdom and the limitations of human understanding. The Hebrew root for "therefore" is "עַל־כֵּן" (al-ken), which often introduces a conclusion drawn from preceding arguments or experiences. This highlights the importance of reflection and humility in the face of divine wisdom.

I despise
The phrase "I despise" comes from the Hebrew word "מָאַס" (ma'as), which means to reject or to hold in contempt. In this context, Job is expressing a profound sense of self-repudiation. After encountering God's majesty and realizing his own limitations, Job rejects his previous assertions and complaints. This act of despising is not self-loathing but rather a recognition of his own inadequacy and a turning away from his former stance. It reflects a deep humility and a willingness to submit to God's greater understanding.

myself
The word "myself" in this verse is a translation of the Hebrew "עַל־עָפָר" (al-afar), which literally means "upon dust." This expression is a metaphor for Job's recognition of his own mortality and insignificance in comparison to God's eternal nature. It is a humbling acknowledgment of the human condition, emphasizing the need for reliance on divine wisdom rather than human pride. In the broader biblical context, it echoes the creation narrative where humanity is formed from dust, reminding readers of their origins and dependence on God.

and repent
The term "repent" is derived from the Hebrew "נָחַם" (nacham), which conveys a sense of regret, comfort, or change of mind. In this verse, it signifies Job's transformation in understanding and attitude. Repentance here is not merely about feeling sorry but involves a profound change in perspective and behavior. It is an acknowledgment of error and a commitment to align oneself with God's will. This repentance is a model for believers, illustrating the importance of turning away from self-reliance and towards divine guidance.

in dust and ashes
The phrase "in dust and ashes" is a traditional expression of mourning and penitence in the ancient Near Eastern culture. The Hebrew words "עָפָר וָאֵפֶר" (afar va-efer) symbolize humility and contrition. Dust and ashes are elements associated with mortality and the transient nature of life, serving as a reminder of human frailty. In the context of Job, this imagery underscores his complete submission and recognition of God's sovereignty. It is a powerful visual of repentance, illustrating the depth of Job's transformation and his renewed relationship with God. This act of sitting in dust and ashes is a call for believers to embrace humility and seek reconciliation with God through genuine repentance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He underwent severe trials, losing his wealth, children, and health, yet remained faithful to God.

2. God
The Almighty Creator who allowed Job's testing and ultimately restored him. God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, challenging his understanding and perspective.

3. Job's Friends
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visited Job to comfort him but ended up accusing him of sin, believing his suffering was a punishment from God.

4. The Whirlwind
The medium through which God speaks to Job, signifying His power and majesty.

5. Repentance
The act of Job acknowledging his limited understanding and humbling himself before God, signifying a turning point in his spiritual journey.
Teaching Points
Understanding Our Limitations
Job's repentance highlights the importance of recognizing our limited understanding compared to God's infinite wisdom.

The Nature of True Repentance
True repentance involves a change of heart and mind, acknowledging our wrongs and turning back to God.

Humility Before God
Job's response teaches us the value of humility, especially when confronted with God's majesty and our own shortcomings.

God's Sovereignty and Our Trust
Even in suffering, we are called to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He is just and good.

Restoration Through Repentance
Job's account assures us that God is willing to restore and bless those who come to Him with a repentant heart.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Job's response in Job 42:6 reflect a change in his understanding of God and himself?

2. In what ways can we apply the concept of repentance in our daily lives, especially when we face trials or misunderstandings about God's character?

3. How do the actions and attitudes of Job's friends contrast with Job's ultimate response to God, and what can we learn from this?

4. How does the theme of humility in Job 42:6 connect with other biblical teachings on humility, such as those found in James 4:10?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "whirlwind" moment in your life. How did it change your perspective on God's sovereignty and your own need for repentance?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 51
David's psalm of repentance, which echoes the themes of humility and seeking God's mercy.

Isaiah 6
Isaiah's vision of God's holiness, leading to his own recognition of sinfulness and need for purification.

Luke 15
The parable of the prodigal son, illustrating repentance and the father's forgiveness.

James 4:10
Encourages believers to humble themselves before the Lord, promising that He will lift them up.

1 John 1:9
Speaks of the faithfulness and justice of God to forgive sins when we confess them.
ContritionR. Green Job 42:1-6
Job's Answer and ConfessionE. Johnson Job 42:1-6
Job's Confession and RestorationS. G. Woodrow.Job 42:1-10
Job's Confession and RestorationD. J. Burrell, D. D.Job 42:1-10
Job's Confession and RestorationC. A. Dickinson.Job 42:1-10
A View of the Glory of God Humbling to the SoulJ. Witherspoon, D. D.Job 42:5-6
Changed Views of GodJ. Orr, M.Job 42:5-6
Clear Views of God Correct ErrorsA. Hastings Ross, D. D.Job 42:5-6
Experiences of the Inner LifeE. Garbett, M. A.Job 42:5-6
God Known in Various MannersT. Kennion, M. A.Job 42:5-6
Hearsay and ConvictionF. M'Adam Muir.Job 42:5-6
Humiliation and ExaltationGeorge Wagner.Job 42:5-6
Humility and Self-AbhorrenceW. Richardson.Job 42:5-6
Job Among the AshesSpurgeon, Charles HaddonJob 42:5-6
Job's Knowledge of GodJ. Orr, M.Job 42:5-6
Job's RepentanceDean Vaughan.Job 42:5-6
Knowing by the Ear and the EyeJ. B. Patterson, M. A.Job 42:5-6
Knowledge of God and Self SimultaneousS. Charnock.Job 42:5-6
Man's Worse SelfAlfred Bowen Evans.Job 42:5-6
On Being Brought to See GodJ. Slade, M. A.Job 42:5-6
Self-RenunciationJ. Bolton, B. A.Job 42:5-6
Sell-Abasement for SinF. Orpen Morris, B. A.Job 42:5-6
The Hearing of God by the Hearing of the EarEdward Girdlestone, M. A.Job 42:5-6
The Knowledge of God Producing RepentanceChristian ObserverJob 42:5-6
The Second-Hand and the Primary Knowledge of GodHomilistJob 42:5-6
The Sinner's Mourning HabitT. Adams.Job 42:5-6
Tradition and ExperienceWalter Ross Taylor.Job 42:5-6
People
Bildad, Eliphaz, Jemima, Job, Kerenhappuch, Kezia, Zophar
Places
Uz
Topics
Abhor, Ashes, Cause, Despise, Dust, Loathe, Myself, Repent, Repented, Retract, Seat, Seeing, Sorrow, Wherefore, Witness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 42:6

     5038   mind, the human
     5450   poverty, spiritual
     5763   attitudes, positive to God
     5865   gestures
     5888   inferiority
     6733   repentance, nature of
     6735   repentance, examples
     6742   sackcloth and ashes

Job 42:1-6

     8281   insight

Job 42:5-6

     4050   dust
     6624   confession, of sin

Library
October 6 Morning
The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.--REV. 19:6. I know that thou canst do every thing.--The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.--He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?--There is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?--Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee. Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea,
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 26. "Now Mine Eye Seeth Thee" (Job Xlii. 5).
"Now mine eye seeth Thee" (Job xlii. 5). We must recognize the true character of our self-life and its real virulence and vileness. We must consent to its destruction, and we must take it ourselves, as Abraham did Isaac, and lay it at the feet of God in willing sacrifice. This is a hard work for the natural heart, but the moment the will is yielded and the choice is made, that death is past, the agony is over, and we are astonished to find that the death is accomplished. Usually the crisis of life
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

'The End of the Lord'
'Then Job answered the Lord, and said, 2. I know that Thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can he withholden from Thee. 3. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4. Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak: I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me. 5. I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee. 6. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Intercessory Prayer
The circumstance which attended Job's restoration is that to which I invite your particular attention. "The Lord turned again the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends." Intercessory prayer was the omen of his returning greatness. It was the bow in the cloud, the dove bearing the olive branch, the voice of the turtle announcing the coming summer. When his soul began to expand itself in holy and loving prayer for his erring brethren, then the heart of God showed itself to him by returning
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

The Sinner Sentenced.
1, 2.The sinner called upon to hear his sentence.--3. God's law does now in general pronounce a curse.--4. It pronounces death.--5. And being turned into hell.--6. The judgement day shall come.--7, 8. The solemnity of that grand process described according to scriptural representations of it.--9. With a particular illustration of the sentence, "Depart, accursed," &c.--10. The execution wilt certainly and immediately follow.--11. The sinner warned to prepare for enduring it. The reflection of a sinner
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Whether after the Resurrection the Saints Will See God with the Eyes of the Body? [*Cf. Fp, Q , a ]
Objection 1: It would seem that after the resurrection the saints will see God with the eyes of the body. Because the glorified eye has greater power than one that is not glorified. Now the blessed Job saw God with his eyes (Job 42:5): "With the hearing of the ear, I have heard Thee, but now my eye seeth Thee." Much more therefore will the glorified eye be able to see God in His essence. Objection 2: Further, it is written (Job 19:26): "In my flesh I shall see God my Saviour [Vulg.: 'my God']." Therefore
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Its Problem
In this and the following chapter our aim will be fourfold. First, to demonstrate the impossibility of any sinner obtaining acceptance and favour with God on the ground of his own performances. Second, to show that the saving of a sinner presented a problem which nought but omniscience could solve, but that the consummate wisdom of God has devised a way whereby He can pronounce righteous a guilty transgressor of His Law without impeaching His veracity, sullying His holiness, or ignoring the claims
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

Washed to Greater Foulness
Turning to my text, let me say, that as one is startled by a shriek, or saddened by a groan, so these sharp utterances of Job astonish us at first, and then awake our pity. How much are we troubled with brotherly compassion as we read the words,--"If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me!" The sense of misery couched in this passage baffles description. Yet this is but one of a series, in which sentence
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

Whether the Essence of God Can be Seen with the Bodily Eye?
Objection 1: It seems that the essence of God can be seen by the corporeal eye. For it is written (Job 19:26): "In my flesh I shall see . . . God," and (Job 42:5), "With the hearing of the ear I have heard Thee, but now my eye seeth Thee." Objection 2: Further, Augustine says (De Civ. Dei xxix, 29): "Those eyes" (namely the glorified) "will therefore have a greater power of sight, not so much to see more keenly, as some report of the sight of serpents or of eagles (for whatever acuteness of vision
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Our Attitude Toward his Sovereignty
"Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight" (Matt. 11:26). In the present chapter we shall consider, somewhat briefly, the practical application to ourselves of the great truth which we have pondered in its various ramifications in earlier pages. In chapter twelve we shall deal more in detail with the value of this doctrine but here we would confine ourselves to a definition of what ought to be our attitude toward the Sovereignty of God. Every truth that is revealed to us in God's Word
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Whether Contention is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that contention is not a mortal sin. For there is no mortal sin in spiritual men: and yet contention is to be found in them, according to Lk. 22:24: "And there was also a strife amongst" the disciples of Jesus, "which of them should . . . be the greatest." Therefore contention is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, no well disposed man should be pleased that his neighbor commit a mortal sin. But the Apostle says (Phil. 1:17): "Some out of contention preach Christ,"
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Character of Its Teachings Evidences the Divine Authorship of the Bible
Take its teachings about God Himself. What does the Bible teach us about God? It declares that He is Eternal: "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou are God" (Ps. 90:2). It reveals the fact that He is Infinite: "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee" (I Kings 8:27). Vast as we know the universe to be, it has its bounds; but we must go beyond
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

An Address to a Soul So Overwhelmed with a Sense of the Greatness of Its Sins, that it Dares not Apply Itself to Christ with Any
1-4. The case described at large.--5. As it frequently occurs.--6. Granting all that the dejected soul charges on itself.--7. The invitations and promises of Christ give hope.--8. The reader urged, under all his burdens and fears, to an humble application to him. Which is accordingly exemplified in the concluding Reflection and Prayer. 1. I have now done with those unhappy creatures who despise the Gospel, and with those who neglect it. With pleasure do I now turn myself to those who will hear me
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Letter xx. Self-Examination.
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith: prove your own selves."--2 COR. 13:6. MY DEAR SISTER, In view of the positive injunction of Scripture, above quoted, no argument is necessary to show that self-examination is a duty. But if the word of God had been silent upon the subject, the importance of self-knowledge would have been a sufficient motive for searching into the secret springs of action which influence our conduct. A person ignorant of his own heart, is like a merchant, who knows
Harvey Newcomb—A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females

Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
(from Bethany to Jerusalem and Back, Sunday, April 2, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 1-12, 14-17; ^B Mark XI. 1-11; ^C Luke XIX. 29-44; ^D John XII. 12-19. ^c 29 And ^d 12 On the morrow [after the feast in the house of Simon the leper] ^c it came to pass, when he he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, ^a 1 And when they came nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage unto { ^b at} ^a the mount of Olives [The name, Bethphage, is said to mean house of figs, but the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
OR, THE EXCELLENCY OF A BROKEN HEART: SHOWING THE NATURE, SIGNS, AND PROPER EFFECTS OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT. BEING THE LAST WORKS OF THAT EMINENT PREACHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, MR. JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. WITH A PREFACE PREFIXED THEREUNTO BY AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN LONDON. London: Sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgates, 1692. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The very excellent preface to this treatise, written by George Cokayn, will inform the reader of
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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